Let’s start with the easy stuff – give us a sample of your professional background and experience.
For 30 years, I have worked in mind/body medicine and mental health, honing tools and techniques that combine movement, meditation, creativity and psychological practices to midwife change.I am a Board Certified Dance/movement Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher and Distinctive Meditation coach. I received my MA form Goucher College. I am honored to have studied to become a meditation teacher with Lorin Roche and Camille Maureen.
I maintain a private practice working with individuals inIndianapolis, Indiana and offer virtual sessions to clients worldwide. My work flows between midwifing the deep intimacies of personal change, and facilitating large scale projects that bring divergent communities together on the common ground of play and beauty.
In 2013, I was honored with an invitation to be a TEDx speaker and to teach at the prestigious TEDActive conference in Palm Springs in 2014 as well as create an experiential art instillation for TEDx Indianapolis. It was a thrill to share this community building piece called “The Third Thing” with the TED community.
In 2018, I pioneered and founded a creative arts therapy department for Ascension, St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis a program that weaves art, music and dance/movement therapy for the healing of staff, patients and families.
I am a published author and researcher who has written about imagination and the power of vulnerability.
What brought you to PLC?
Since my move back to Indianapolis from New York the Peace Learning Center has been in my orbit. My community of friends and Quaker experiences has overlapped with PLC people and mission. My interest in change and empowering people has moved me into many different places and populations. Recently I have felt the deep call to use my time and energy directly to the important issues of our time. I feel aligned with the persistent, inspired and multifaceted work towards peace that the PLC is doing! I am honored and thrilled to be joining.
What are you most excited about in your new role?
I am most excited about learning and being in a community that is dedicated to embodying and sharing social emotional learning, equity and restorative justice.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
My idea of a perfect day time in big, wild nature, snuggling and laughing with loved ones and a big dance party including zydeco, salsa and old school soul music!
If we pushed play on what you were last listening to (music, podcast, or otherwise) what would we hear?
I’m listening to the audio book, My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and Pathways to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menkem. Musically I was listening to my Happy Playlist on my way in today. It includes music that I can ”car dance” and sing to.
Pre-COVID, you’re invited to a pitch-in, what are you bringing?
Some sparkling water or dessert. I love to eat, not to cook. However you can count on me to do the dishes!
Who is someone you look up to? Why?
I really admire my grandmother who, led by her heart, made courageous changes in her life in her later years of life.
Lastly, how did you celebrate when you accepted your new job?
Truthfully I have been so busy that I haven’t organized anything to mark this change. However, one evening a group of dear friends arrived on bikes, at my home and pulled me from my tasks. We lit candles and sat outside, all gathered up, toasting this new adventure.
